The new international rugby season is upon us as tens of thousands get ready to flock through the Principality Stadium turnstiles in the coming weeks.

In Warren Gatland's absence, Rob Howley will be looking to put down his marker as Wales caretaker coach as his side lock horns this Autumn with Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa.

But what can we realistically expect? What are the opposition strengths Wales must beware most, and what are the weaknesses they could exploit.

We know Wales lost three summer tour matches to New Zealand, but what type of recent form have the opposition actually been in?

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How many of the four matches can Wales win, at a time of year when our record is traditionally poor?

Here is the full lowdown on the opposition about to march on the home of Welsh rugby...

AUSTRALIA

Saturday November 5 (2.30pm)

Coach:

Michael Cheika

Came into the post under a fanfare after success at club level, but fair to say he’s had somewhat of a mixed time of recently.

He enjoyed a stunning start and guided the Wallabies to the World Cup final last year, being named the 2015 World Rugby coach of the year.

But 2016 has not been as successful. The former boss of Leinster, Stade Francais and the NSW Waratahs, he knows he needs a good Autumn campaign to stave off a raft of criticism. Very much under pressure.

Australia coach Michael Cheika suddenly finds himself under pressure

Recent record

Not particularly great, to be honest. Reached the World Cup Final last year, of course, which the Wallabies expected to do, before being overpowered by New Zealand.

Including that game, they have only won three times in the last 11 fixtures, By Australia’s standards, that is a woeful record.

The run is bookended either side with defeats to old foe New Zealand, but three losses this summer to England were not expected.

World ranking

Have dipped behind England into third place. Will be looking to do something about that on this tour to Europe, where they meet the four home nations, plus France.

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Strengths

Back-row powerhouses David Pocock and Michael Hooper are masters of the breakdown and Cheika has found a way of putting them into the same side by playing Pocock at number eight.

But Pocock broke his hand during the Rugby Championship and only just returned against New Zealand as a replacement last weekend.

Israel Folau is one of the most dangerous full-backs in world rugby and typifies the Wallaby style, flamboyant and prepared to take risks.

They also, of course, have something of an Indian sign over Wales with a succession of last-gasp victories.

Michael Hooper will be a Wallaby kingpin again (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Weaknesses

Injury to Adam Ashley-Cooper, one of the most under-rated players in the game, forced Michael Cheika to field rookies Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge on the wings. They are work in progress, while age-old problems at the scrum still exist and that is an area Wales will seek to exploit.

There are also question marks over the locks, with many Wallaby supporters reckoning their team is soft in the boilerhouse.

Newcomer Adam Coleman is looking to prove them wrong.

One to watch

Bernard Foley was switched to centre during this season to accommodate the return of Quade Cooper at outside-half. But Foley slotted back in at 10 against New Zealand last weekend and troubled the Blacks defence with his creative intent. Has always performed against Wales in the past.

Bernard Foley plays well versus Wales (Photo: Getty Images)

Can Wales beat them?

History tells us no, but these Wallabies are definitely there for the taking. They are battered and bruised after a Bledisloe Cup hiding at the hands of New Zealand last weekend and have even been dubbed ‘the worst Australia team I’ve seen’ by Graham Henry.

If Wales can recapture their mojo they won’t get a better chance of beating Australia. But how many times have you heard that in recent times?

ARGENTINA

Saturday November 12 (5.30pm)

Coach

Daniel Hourcade

Former scrum-half who had a modest playing career but who is making his mark as a coach.

Has been in charge since 2013 and transformed the way Argentina play. They still have brute forward power, but combine it with a more adventurous approach behind.

Recent record

Under Hourcade they came a commendable fourth in the World Cup, losing to Australia in the semi-finals and South Africa in the third and fourth placed play-off match.

Since then they have won three and lost six, and it’s been something of a mixed bag. For example, they beat France 30-19 at home before being battered 0-27 in the next game.

Have lost the last four in a row to New Zealand and Australia, having previously beaten South Africa.

World ranking

Strengths

Traditional forward power, where skipper and hooker Augustin Creevy is immense. But they mix it up far more these days and with Nicolas Sanchez at 10 and Juan Martin Hernandez outside him, the Pumas have real creativity behind.

Full-back Joaquin Tuculet likes to run from anywhere and their wingers are dangerous. Santiago Cordero is a try machine and Manuel Montero has been dubbed Latin America’s version of Jonah Lomu, with his huge piston-pump hand-off.

Weaknesses

They can dominate possession, but not necessarily put the opposition away. Their locks, while big, athletic and imposing, are inexperienced and could get yellow-carded in the heat of Principality Stadium battle.

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JAPAN

Saturday November 19 (2.30pm)

Coach

The 1995 New Zealand World Cup winning flanker has taken over from Eddie Jones as Japan boss, having previously guided the Highlanders to their first Super Rugby title in 2015.

Recent record

Since that never-to-be-forgotten World Cup campaign, which included that historic win over South Africa, they have lost summer Tests at home to Scotland before narrowly overcoming Canada in Vancouver.

Japan lost to Scotland twice in the summer

World ranking

12th

Strengths

The confidence taken from overcoming the Springboks during the World Cup, when momentarily they suddenly became everybody else’s second favourite team. They can play without fear because little is expected of them.

Weaknesses

Despite beating the Springboks, Japan have no real record of note against the top tier teams. Mind, one of their few wins was against Wales in Tokyo in 2013. They should be overpowered up front and behind.

One to watch

Fumiaki Tanaka is a vastly experienced scrum-half who plays Super Rugby in New Zealand with the Highlanders. Instrumental in the win over the Springboks, as well as the previous triumph over Wales three years ago when he was outstanding. Toulon full-back Ayumu Goromaru is missing through injury.

Fumiaki Tanaka is Japan's playmaker

Can Wales beat them?

It’s more a question of by how many points. Rob Howley will probably mix and match his side for this one, but this is the one guaranteed victory of the Autumn.

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SOUTH AFRICA

Saturday November 26 (5.30pm)

South Africa huddle during their recent humiliation against New Zealand

Coach

Allister Coetzee

Took charge in April amid claims he was inheriting the toughest job in world rugby. The demands upon the coach of the Springboks are almost as high as those of the coach of New Zealand.

Just look at these words form Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula upon Coetzee’s appointment.

“South Africans are not very loyal. If you get beaten by the Irish, we are going to start digging up things we never knew about you.”

As far as encouragement from high up goes, it was certainly different.

Coetzee did lose his first game too, even though Ireland were down to 14 men for most of the match after CJ Stander was red-carded.

Should be pointed out, mind, he was assistant to Jake White when South Africa won the 2007 World Cup. So there is decent pedigree there.

Recent record

Despite seeming to be in a state of flux, the Springboks did finish third in the World Cup and only lost to New Zealand by two points.

Since then their record reads: Played nine, won four lost five. They were thrashed 57-15 at home to New Zealand last time out, so hardly come to Europe on a high.

The scoreboard showing the final score

World ranking

Fourth, one place ahead of Wales.

Strengths

Eben Etzebeth is up there with Brodie Retallick as perhaps the best lock in the world. The ‘Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira remains a cult figure while captain Adriaan Strauss is a hard-working hooker.

In other words, the front five. Surprise surprise.

Weaknesses

Some feel new coach Coetzee has his hands tied by the racial quota system which has been imposed on him, with half of his squad having to be made up of non-white players by the time of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

They have already started to implement the policy and not being able to pick his side on merit means he hasn’t being able to field their strongest match-day 23.

One to watch

Veteran speedster Bryan Habana is still giving everything on the wing and has a good record against Wales. Could be his last game in Cardiff. If so, he'll be looking to go out on a high.

Can Wales beat them?

Definitely. Then again, we felt that in the World Cup quarter-final... and sadly we know what happened there.